1. “It was just a joke”
Any variation of this phrase from “It’s satire” to “I was only joking” all say the same thing about you and the joke you just made. If you have to keep defending yourself over a supposed joke then I have some news for you: It’s not a good joke; it’s not fresh or original and it probably perpetuates harmful behavior toward the people you are “joking” about. If you would feel even a little bit miffed if someone turned the joke around on you or joked about something you cannot change then it’s not quality humor; in fact, it’s probably the laziest humor out there (I mean, at least puns have some creativity behind them)
2. Explaining why the “Joke” is “Funny” is awkward
Let’s say you make a joke about people, who have undergone serious prejudice because of the stereotype you are joking about and who have no control over the skin color, sex, gender, or romantic/sexual orientation that you just have to joke about, and someone you tell this joke to just doesn’t get it. If you have to explain that you’re making fun of a group of marginalized people for a stereotype about them or for something that they have no control over you’re going to look like a real ass and just prove that the real joke in this scenario is you. If you’re chill with people making fun of you for something you can control (your self-aggrandizing bigotry) then go ahead and tell that joke you’re racist relative posted on Facebook.
3. You Say The “Joke” Just To Make Someone Mad
Oh, look how cool you are. You’re really pushing the limits of your relationship just so you can push out a few more awful, over-done, and lazy jokes. You’re the people’s hero here. Way to take down a “snowflake” who dares to care about other people and not find harmful jokes against other people humorous. Obviously, this person doesn’t have a sense of humor because laughing at other people for something they have no control over is the only humor that exists in the world.
4. You Go On A Rant About Having To Step On Egg Shells
If you find yourself saying something like “geez, I don’t get why people have to walk on egg shells all the time now” or “PC culture is ruining America” then you should know that it’s not everyone who feels like they have to walk on egg shells…it’s just those who feel affronted about treating people with respect. If you feel stifled or silenced because you can’t make jokes that push people down then I’m sorry but that’s your fault; it’s not the fault of the people who respect other people. It’s your fault and you created those egg shells when you decided to hurt others with your “humor”.
